Pens Bought From Amazon, Etc. Any Good?

[blushinpen]

My apologies ahead, I didn't know where to put this question.

 

For those seasoned fountain pen enthusiasts out there, what is your take on buying fountain pens from online retailers like amazon or ebay, when the pens in question are on the more pricey side, say 100+ dollars?

 

Would I have to worry about nib misalignment, etc more from those "stores" vs online stores that specialises in pens?

 

Your insight is greatly appreciated.

-Mel

[fly_us]

My apologies ahead, I didn't know where to put this question.

 

For those seasoned fountain pen enthusiasts out there, what is your take on buying fountain pens from online retailers like amazon or ebay, when the pens in question are on the more pricey side, say 100+ dollars?

 

Would I have to worry about nib misalignment, etc more from those "stores" vs online stores that specialises in pens?

 

Your insight is greatly appreciated.

-Mel

 

I always favor brick and mortar shops where i could get a hand from it first. However, if the different price is good enough (20-30% to me), then i will not hestitate to buy online.

 

Nib misalignment and other problem could be happen anytime, anywhere. Buy from Amazon or where you could return, then no need to worry.

[sandy101]

I bought my expensive pens from thewritingdesk.co.uk. They check the expensive pens before they send them out, so you can be sure that it will write from the box.

 

That said, I bought the Diplomat Excellence A from amazon, with a huge discount and it has been a lovely pen.

[Tasmith]

Haven't bought any $100 plus pens, but bought three Waterman Kulturs ($30, $50 & $60) and several Rotring Art pens. Received all in perfect condition.

[Lam1]

I always buy online, since there are no B&M where I live, and I bought quite a few pens from Amazon, almost all of them above $100, some of which at fantastic prices. For example, last December I got a Parker Duofold centennial, whose street price was around $440 (msrp $550) for $207. So, if the price is good I do not hesitate to buy from them, particularly because of their excellent return policy.

 

That said, I see your flag is from Germany and I have heard that Amazon.de sends certain pens (such as Pelikans) without the gift box, which for some is annoying. Also, their prices for German pens can be matched by some pen stores in Europe and in that case I would order online from a pen store.

 

I have also ordered from eBay, mostly without problems. Usually the rating of the seller is a good indication of the likelihood of having problems or not.

Edited November 25, 2015 by Lam1

[Pen4Senator]

I have purchased a few pens on eBay (statewide & internationally) and I have been pleased.

[jabberwock11]

Most people do not live near a pen shop, so buying on line is usually the only way to go.

 

There are really three categories of online pen retailers:

 

1) Specialty Shops: Online specialty shops dealing exclusively, or mostly, with pens and pencils can usually handle any issues that pop up quickly and easily. These retailers (iSellpens, Goulet Pens, etc.) have a reputation to protect and a small niche customer base that can quickly sour on them if they do not provide excellent customer service.

 

2) Stationary/Specialty Variety Shops: Online retailers that sell pens, but do not deal exclusively in them, are usually middle men who sell the pens for another entity that DOES deal exclusively with those pens (whether this is a manufacturer or a specialty distributor makes little difference). These middle men retailers (writersbloc, Levenger, etc.) usually have processes in place to deal with any possible issues that may crop up. A sub-category here would be online office supply stores (Office Depot, Staples, etc.). They perform the same function as retailers like Levenger or writersbloc, but are even further removed from the products that they sell, making them less likely to be able to provide satisfactory customer service.

 

3) Online Marketplaces/Auction Sites: Online marketplaces and auction sites like Amazon and eBay are another category all together. These companies do not sell the products themselves (although Amazon does store and ship some products this is really just a warehouse service that is provided to some of their sellers). What they do is provide a digital format where others can sell their goods, sort of like an online agora or flea market. I have purchased many pens from both eBay and Amazon and have not had any problems with either company, but the issue with either one is that should there be a problem, the customer service will likely be hit or miss.

 

I doubt that the incidents of NEW pens arriving DOA from Amazon or eBay are significantly higher than any other retailer, but I can almost guarantee that getting any problem that may occur corrected will be much more difficult when dealing with these particular companies.

Edited November 25, 2015 by jabberwock11

[ISW_Kaputnik]

I've bought some new pens from both Amazon third party sellers and eBay, saving quite a bit of money. One of the Amazon ones was outright defective, but I returned it for all of my money back, with return shipping covered, so I only lost some time. I've had to do some slight nib tweaking on a couple of pens, most have been fine out of the box.

 

Most of my other modern pens came from specialist online dealers such as Jet Pens, Goulet's, or Isellpens. Few problems, and they handled them when there was an issue.

 

Most of my vintage pens come from eBay. I live in a town with more antiques shops than any other kind of business (it seems) but have had little luck looking for pens there, or at the many flea markets and yard sales. I've gotten some excellent fixer-uppers from eBay. I can now handle a fair percentage of restorations myself, at least to my satisfaction, but there have been some that I sent off to professionals.

 

Without a trip to New York City, which is generally against my inclinations, I'm probably not going to find a really good brick and mortar shop near where I live. Not looking very hard, but if I do find one, I'll surely look at what they have.

[Runnin_Ute]

I don't often purchase pens new. Most of my pens have been purchased in the secondary market - either ebay auctions, FPN Classifieds or elsewhere. I have had pretty good luck regardless of where purchased.

 

My first two pens - Lamy Al Star and a Waterman Phileas were both purchased from Levenger 15+ years ago. Never had any issues with either.

A True Writer Silver Anniversary from Levenger - again no issues. This was in early 2013.

A TWSBI 580 from iSellPens - again no issues. That was about a year ago. It didn't need help but I had a custom grind put on it a few months later. I had never had experienced something like that and wanted to try it.

Today I received a Pelikan M200 Cognac bought from a Japanese seller via Amazon. I ordered it on 11/17. That thing flew through Customs in Los Angeles where it hit Saturday, 11/21 around 7 pm. I filled it after I got home to check the nib. Perfect. Of course I haven't done a lot of writing with it yet. I have only had it inked for a couple of hours....

 

The closest thing I have to a B&M is a stationary store probably 10 or so miles away, near downtown SLC. I don't get to that part of town often. They have lots of papers and things, and some higher end pens. Visconti, Mont Blanc, (no Pelikan) Graf Von Faber Castell, Faber Castell, and a few others according to the website. No first hand experience with the staff in terms of pens.

[dasXFnib]

Runnin_Ute.....

My M200 Cognac (same Amazon vendor....) is at JFK Customs.....should arrive here Friday or Saturday!!

Hope my luck is as good as yours!! Enjoy!!

 

Always try to get the dibs.....on fountain pens with EF nibs!!

[Chrissy]

From time to time, Amazon have some great deals on pens. I've bought a Pelikan M400 white/tortie and a Waterman Carene at great prices from them.

 

Even if you have to buy them with a M nib, to get the best deal, you can always get that exchanged for free by the manufacturer.

[jdllizard]

Fleabay can definitely be a gamble, but I've gotten some great deals on there, and a few dogs, but I'm still ahead. I've also bought off Amazon with no issues at all. Got my Pelikan M405 Souverin from Amazon.

[fplover01]

I mostly buy my pens online and apart from a couple of problems with pens getting lost in the mail never had issues. I also shop from a department store I like, which has a department for pens, if they have something good.

Edited November 26, 2015 by fplover01

[Buzz_130]

I've bought some great pens in stores in Tokyo. My Nakaya, Sailor, Platinum, and Pilot pens for my entire family are excellent in every respect.

 

In the United States, I generally buy online. I've used eBay for some exceptional vintage pens, a few of the pen-oriented online shops for modern pens and writing supplies, and a couple of good online restorers. My experience has been excellent with the service and products.

 

But I find myself waiting more often these days for pen shows. Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia are so close, and they bring the best of all worlds. Vintage, modern, Western, and Japanese pens are all available to hold, examine, touch, try, and purchase. I've found that it's now worth the wait.

 

People here are very good at offering their views on many online sellers. You'll find a group of names keep coming up in regular conversations, and they have well-deserved reputations for their dedication to the fountain pen community. You should feel comfortable buying online.

 

Buzz

[blushinpen]

Hello guys, thank you for all your input. There is one tiny store in my current small German town, and they have some pens available. I purchased a few Lamys (Al-star, Logo, Cp1), and a Pelikan m215 from there. But generally, I do have to look at online shops.

 

Now being in Germany, shipping cost from some online shops can easily be higher than the actual pen, so I am window shopping at ebay and amazon sites.

 

Lam1: yes, I have read that, too, that amazon doesn't provide the pen box. Mhm...for an expensive pen I'd say I prefer a nice packaging...

[jsolares]

I've bought almost all of my Montblanc pens from eBay, 3 149 and 2 146. Most online retailers specialty or not don't check the nibs/pens prior to shipping them so it remains brand new unopened, however some do like nibs.com he'll actually test them before shipping and fix if needed be, I remember reading that the goulets can test them if you ask them.

 

Hello guys, thank you for all your input. There is one tiny store in my current small German town, and they have some pens available. I purchased a few Lamys (Al-star, Logo, Cp1), and a Pelikan m215 from there. But generally, I do have to look at online shops.

 

Now being in Germany, shipping cost from some online shops can easily be higher than the actual pen, so I am window shopping at ebay and amazon sites.

 

Lam1: yes, I have read that, too, that amazon doesn't provide the pen box. Mhm...for an expensive pen I'd say I prefer a nice packaging...

 

I've bought a few Safaris from amazon and they came in the cardboard box, got others from appelboom in the netherlands and they came in tin boxes.

 

You'll still have to pay VAT from these though.

http://www.appelboompennen.nl/

http://www.lacouronneducomte.nl/

http://penboard.de/shop/

http://www.martiniauctions.com/

Edited November 26, 2015 by jsolares

[Runnin_Ute]

Runnin_Ute.....

My M200 Cognac (same Amazon vendor....) is at JFK Customs.....should arrive here Friday or Saturday!!

Hope my luck is as good as yours!! Enjoy!!

 

Always try to get the dibs.....on fountain pens with EF nibs!!

das.... I ordered a Fine... and this is on the narrow end of Western Fine approaching EF.

[blushinpen]

I've bought almost all of my Montblanc pens from eBay, 3 149 and 2 146. Most online retailers specialty or not don't check the nibs/pens prior to shipping them so it remains brand new unopened, however some do like nibs.com he'll actually test them before shipping and fix if needed be, I remember reading that the goulets can test them if you ask them.

 

 

I've bought a few Safaris from amazon and they came in the cardboard box, got others from appelboom in the netherlands and they came in tin boxes.

 

You'll still have to pay VAT from these though.

http://www.appelboompennen.nl/

http://www.lacouronneducomte.nl/

http://penboard.de/shop/

http://www.martiniauctions.com/

Thanks for your list of stores. I will look into them.

 

I am aware that if a deal sounds too good to be true, then there is probably some major thing wrong with the item.

Also, I am a tad concerned that with a more expensive pen purchased on such retail sites (amazon, etc.) that one might end up with a fake one.

[Pen_andy]

I bought a Conklin Mark Twain on amazon for £98. All was well but after about 6 weeks it started to leak from where the nib meets the section and also from where section and barrell met. Due to the time lapse was not able to do an online return, just opened their chat facility, no questions asked, could return it. They sent me a replacement immediately and told me to wait for that and then use the box it comes in to send the faulty one back to them. So cannot fail them on that account. The second one now seems to work flawlessly (so far).

 

 

[Lam1]

Hello guys, thank you for all your input. There is one tiny store in my current small German town, and they have some pens available. I purchased a few Lamys (Al-star, Logo, Cp1), and a Pelikan m215 from there. But generally, I do have to look at online shops.

 

Now being in Germany, shipping cost from some online shops can easily be higher than the actual pen, so I am window shopping at ebay and amazon sites.

 

Lam1: yes, I have read that, too, that amazon doesn't provide the pen box. Mhm...for an expensive pen I'd say I prefer a nice packaging...

Blushinpen, I'm with you in that I prefer the pens to be boxed.

 

Jsolares mentioned some well known stores. Of those I have used La Couronne du Comte and I do recommend their excellent service, sometimes they have very good specials (you can also find an online coupon for 10% off) and they have some of the best prices in GvFC. I also bought multiple pens from Martini Auctions, but if you want the box sometimes you have to ask her first, since it may not be clear if it comes with or without the box (she is very quick to answer her emails) - sometimes at Martini's you can pay a little more to have the box, and I always do that if possible.

 

One store that is little mentioned (I believe it's because they are mainly an arts supply store that carry some pens, instead of a pen store) is Zeichen Center Berlin. They have some of the best prices I've seen on Pelikans and I do strongly recommend them. I didn't buy online from them, but some people here have - I visited them last summer and they were excellent: they held several pens for me for more than 2 months, with one of them being the last they had. Email communication was also fast.

 

Good luck.

Edited November 30, 2015 by Lam1